Health and Safety

While studying abroad is an experience of a life time, it is important that your health and safety take top priority. The Global Education Office is here to help answer any questions you have and to provide resources. You should make copies of all health forms to take abroad with you, especially if you are taking any medication, have any conditions, or are receiving treatment. You should also visit travel.state.gov for country and traveller specific information as well as travel warnings and alerts.

Immunizations and Regional Health Conditions
Depending on your host country, you may want to consider certain immunizations before you leave. To learn about recommended, or even required, immunizations, please visit theU.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) website for travelers. Here you can read about an array of health issues related to all regions of the world. Print this information out, and take it with you when you meet with your doctor to complete your Study Abroad Student Health form. Please discuss this information with your doctor and when completing the health form.

Medications and Treatments
If you are taking medications, make sure that you know what you are taking. Have your doctor provide you with an explanation of your prescription, especially if you know you will need to fill it abroad. You cannot mail medication internationally. Customs officers will confiscate it. Follow the same procedures for any other type of treatments you may be undergoing. If you know you will need to see a doctor abroad for a specific reason, bring as much documentation about your condition as possible. Depending on the seriousness of you condition, you may want to bring it to the attention of the Global Education Office well before you leave so that we can help you locate a doctor abroad in advance.

Code of Conduct
Even when you are abroad, you are expected to follow the SUNY Plattsburgh Student Code of Conduct. The best way you can ensure your own safety is to conduct yourself as a diplomat. Think, talk, act, and dress conservatively. Give yourself time to settle in and meet good people. And certainly, stay away from drugs, disorderly conduct and drink responsibly if you are of legal age. You do not want to find yourself charged with a crime in another country.

Terrorism
In light of recent events, terrorism does need to be taken into account when studying in another country. It is always important to check travel.state.gov for alerts for your host country or any other country you are traveling to. If an attack does take place abroad, our office will take quick action to check in with students to make sure they are safe.

Being Responsible for Your Safety
Unfortunately, there are no parts of the world that are untouched by crime. Just as in the U.S., how safe you are abroad will largely depend on the personal decisions you make. To make sure you are thinking about your own safety, all host institutions conduct an arrival orientation where they cover general health and safety specific to their regions. The Global Education Office also conducts a general pre-departure orientation each semester where we cover basic safety information, and other topics. If you are not a SUNY Plattsburgh student, contact your home campus' study abroad office to see when they conduct their orientation.

Info This site uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience.
Read cookie policy
Accept?